Monday, 14 March 2011

Mandated Energy Efficient Lighting

By Pablo Linskiko


In 1878, Thomas Edison made a historical invention with his incandescent light bulb. His light bulb invention added significantly to the choices households had for using home lights.

Candles were a common type of home lighting in some homes prior to the advent of the electric light bulb, however, home lighting was indeed forever changed with the incandescent light bulb. In fact, Mr. Edison's light bulb invention has been such a monumental contribution to home lighting, that 132 years after its invention, it continues to be utilized worldwide.

However, home lighting in the United States is about to change again. With the advent of high energy efficient light bulbs, the traditional low energy inefficient incandescent light bulb will be phased-out of the marketplace in the United States during the next few years. New energy standards have been mandated by the United States Congress.

Thus, the low energy efficient incandescent light bulbs will be replaced. The low energy efficient incandescent light bulbs will be replaced with high energy efficient light bulbs, such as the light emitting diodes, also known as LEDS, and the compact fluorescent light bulbs.

While few would argue that the incandescent light bulb was a monumental discovery for home lighting, the advent of energy efficient lighting is also significant. The light output and energy efficiency of a high energy efficient light bulb, such as a compact fluorescent bulb that utilizes 13 watts and a traditional incandescent light bulb that uses 60 watts are significant.

The traditional 60 watt incandescent light bulb provides 840 lumens, which is a measure of brightness. By comparison, a 13 watt compact fluorescent bulb provides 900 lumens. Thus, 47 fewer watts are utilized with the 13 watt compact fluorescent bulb while it provides 60 more lumens than the 60 watt incandescent light bulb.

Clearly, as lighting technology advances and improves, it impacts the marketplace. While Thomas Edison has made an historical contribution to lighting with his incandescent light bulb, modern times are demanding greater efficiency with resources.

Consequently, in the United States, the incandescent light bulb will be phased-out of the marketplace. However, it will be phased-out after its design provided over one century of home lighting.




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